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Dail Ervin Ballard was born on April 7, 1942 in Long Branch, TX to Edmund and Lula Ballard. The youngest of 9 children, he spent the early years of his life in Carthage and Timpson, and moved to Houston and then to Longview He graduated from Womack High School in Longview, TX.
After graduation, Dail enlisted in the United States Army and was eventually stationed in Berlin Germany. He served until his Honorable DIscharge in 1963. After the military he enrolled in Texas College in Tyler, TX and graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Business Education. He then moved to Freeport, Tx in 1968 to take employment with Dow Chemical Company, where he would work until his retirement in 1998. He later went on to work for the City of Freeport for 7 years.
After moving to Freeport, Dail met and married the love of his life Wilesta Edison on August 22, 1970 in a double wedding ceremony. In this union, they were blessed with two children, Weenica and Fudail; adopted another son, Akil; and were chosen as the legal guardians of their youngest daughter Faith. Dail was a loving presence in the lives of his eldest daughter Twanna and grandson DeJuan. Many of his children’s friends, church members, and community members looked upon him as a father figure and would refer to him as Dad.
Dail was an active member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church and was ordained and eventually served as chairman of the deacon board. He was also a dedicated member of the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee (MLKCC) where he served as Treasurer for many years. In 2017 he was awarded the Drum Major Award in recognition of his dedication and hard work in the community. He also served on the boards for many organizations including The Family Service Center and CAER.
Deacon Ballard, as he was known to many, enjoyed singing in the choir, working in his yard, solving crossword puzzles, watching Westerns, and would take an occasional trip to the casino. He will be best remembered for his warm smile, generous nature, and hearty laugh. Having started off from meager circumstances, Dail often relied on the generosity of strangers which is one of the reasons he was always eager to give to others and help out in any way that he could. Loved by many, he would entertain those around him with his endless stories and bits of wisdom. Dail had a hearing impairment which led to many humorous moments, and he often would be the one laughing at himself the most.
Dail was called home on Tuesday October 19, 2021 and is preceded in death by: His mother and father Lula Ballard Smith and Edmund Ballard; daughter Weenica Ballard, brothers Harvey Ballard, George W. Ballard, Edmond Ballard Jr.; sister Doris Freeman.
Dail leaves fond memories with his wife, Wilesta Ballard of Freeport; sons, Fudail “Sonny” Ballard (Frank) of Taylor, Akil Ballard of Waco; special son, Paul Goins (Lisa) of Lake Jackson; God grandson, Q’Kiuenta Deverger of Houston; daughters, Twanna Bowen (Roger) of Manor, Faith Deverger (Danuel) of Freeport; Goddaughters Zeva Perkins and Veronica Deverger of Houston; special daughter, Uvon Jackson; sisters, Orris Portley of Longview, Shirley Wilson of Indio, CA; brother, John Ballard (Nina) of Saginaw, MI; sisters in law, Thelma Lewis (Charles) of Las Vegas, LaTangia Burnett of Houston, LoQuita Watson (Roderick) of Pearland, TX, and Pearl Burnett of West Columbia; brother in law, Floyd Edison (Debra) of Houston; Best friend (like a brother), Franky Coleman (Brenda); friends Elisha Sigust and of Houston; Min. Tyrone Ward and Rueben Johnson both of Lake Jackson, Charlie Hawkins of Freeport, Calvin Green of Missouri City; 2 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Active pallbearers will be Martin Dailey, Carey White, March Brown, Da’Vante Stevenson, Ashton Stevenson, and Keandrae Vollbaum.
Visitation will be Friday, October 22, 2021 at Dixon Funeral Home – Angleton from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 Virus, everyone must wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Final arrangements entrusted to Dixon Funeral Home of Brazoria at (979) 849-8800.
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